The Richmond Hill Block Association will be hosting its 39th Annual Park Fair on Saturday, September 8, at the Buddy Memorial in Forest Park, located at the intersection of Myrtle Avenue and Park Lane South, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. This is one of the largest non-profit annual events in Queens, and attracts thousands of participants.

Vendors will line Myrtle Avenue and Forest Park Drive selling a large assortment of interesting items. There will also be live entertainment, face painting for the kids, a chance to win some terrific prizes, a pet adoption event and more.

The Woodhaven Residents’ Block Association will be there, as will the Woodhaven Cultural & Historical Society, which will be selling a variety of Woodhaven-themed history books, including the rare and very popular The History of Woodhaven & Ozone Park.

It’s also a great event if you enjoy a variety of food. Italian sausage, zeppole, gyros, souvlaki, shish kebab –you name it, you’ll probably be able to get it at the Park Fair. It’s a terrific annual event in a beautiful setting.

The proceeds from the Park Fair are used to support the many free programs and services of the Richmond Hill Block Association in conjunction with One Stop Richmond Hill Community Center, which include educational programs for children, graffiti clean-ups, English and citizenship classes, free health fairs, food and toy distribution to needy families, and continual advocacy for the residents of the Richmond Hill Community.

The Woodhaven and Richmond Hill Block associations have strong ties and a bond that goes back to their beginnings in the early 1970s, when both organizations were formed. The need for such organizations arose when some real estate agents began using unscrupulous methods to depress property values so that they could sweep in and profit from the fear that they had intentionally caused.

Over the years, both organizations have remained strong, constantly working to protect, preserve and improve the living conditions of their communities. And the two organizations have worked together on a number of occasions with outstanding results.

If you recall, in the summer of 2011 both organizations came together to organize a rally to save the local firehouse. The result was a big spirited rally that attracted so many local residents that Jamaica Avenue was closed to traffic in both directions for over an hour. In 2012, both organizations were excluded in the planning for a similar rally, and, no offense, but the resulting rally barely had to shut down the sidewalk.

On a more reflective note, take a few moments to pay your respects to the nearly 3,000 men and women of all different races and faiths who lost their lives in the attacks on September 11, 2001. The RHBA has constructed an amazing memorial that is on display each year.

This large memorial in the shape of “911” and contains the names of all of the victims, as well as many of their photographs. It is a beautiful tribute that serves to put faces to the names of those who perished on that day.

Organizations such as the WRBA and the RHBA are the eyes and ears of their respective communities; the boots on the ground. And while what happens in Vegas may stay in Vegas, what happens in our neighboring communities does, in fact, impact our lives. So take the family out to support our good neighbors to the east, enjoy some great food, take the kids on some rides, and enjoy a wonderful day.